As 2023 comes to an end, December’s reading list stands out like a vibrant mosaic, showcasing a mix of stories that whisked me through cozy romances, thrilling mysteries, and poignant family tales. This month’s books spanned the spectrum, offering a festive escape, spine-tingling puzzles, and heartfelt narratives that colored the closing pages of the year.
Here are the books that I read for December 2023:
Resting Scrooge Face, Meghan Quinn
This holiday tale isn’t your typical festive fluff—it has the hallmark of a Hallmark flick (guilty pleasure alert!). Picture a snug little town, a mysterious pen pal, a dash of lost love, and a hint of “Resting Scrooge Face.”
It starts with a grumpy note to Christmas from someone feeling more bah-humbug than holly-jolly, especially with their old flame back in town to fix up her childhood home. Hot cocoa and mistletoe? Nah, not their cup of tea!
Nola hoped for a proposal from her boyfriend, Chris ,on Christmas Eve, thanks to Grandma Louise’s predictions. Instead, she’s blindsided by a breakup and finds herself stuck in her Christmas-y hometown where Caleb, her teen heartbreak, still hangs around.
As Nola dodges Caleb like he’s a walking reminder of her past’s grand flop, a letter from an anonymous Scrooge arrives, courtesy of Arden, the friendly mailman. The distraction is a welcome relief, leading to a pen pal exchange where Nola and Caleb spill their holiday gripes without realizing who’s on the other end. Sparks fly in the form of witty banter, shared laughs, and a newfound appreciation for Christmas. But amidst the merriment, the ghosts of relationships past linger, leaving both to ponder the one that got away
This cute short story, complete with a delightful mailman and granny sidekicks, offers a dose of Christmas cheer.
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith
I joined Precious Ramotswe, Botswana’s one and only woman detective, in Alexander McCall Smith’s “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”! This isn’t your usual detective tale—Ramotswe’s wields intelligence and guts to crack mysteries in a Botswana painted so vividly, you’ll feel like a tourist. It’s a cozy read that’s less heart-stopping thriller and more warm hug in book form. But hey, heads-up: it touches on heavy stuff too—like domestic issues. So, pack your curiosity and get ready for a comfy mystery ride that’s more about heartwarming adventures than pulse-pounding suspense.
Find my full review here.
Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, Agatha Christie
Deck the halls with a Christmas murder mystery! Agatha Christie’s “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas” adds a crimson twist to Yuletide celebrations. Set in a dysfunctional family reunion turned crime scene, this classic unfolds with secrets, stolen diamonds, and locked-room puzzles.
Find my full review here.
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding, Agatha Christie
Another contribution from the Queen of Crime! Agatha Christie’s “The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding” anthology is a festive rollercoaster filled with six intriguing mysteries. Hercule Poirot takes center stage in tales like “The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding,” blending a con artist, a royal gem, and cryptic clues into a delightful holiday enigma. “The Mystery of the Spanish Chest” introduces a grisly murder, while “The Under Dog” and “Four and Twenty Blackbirds” offer classic Christie puzzles. “The Dream” is a short, compelling mystery, and “Greenshaw’s Folly” features Miss Marple’s astute unraveling of a tangled deceit. Each story varies in depth, providing bite-sized mysteries perfect for the holiday chaos.
Find my full review here.
The Covenant of Water, Abraham Verghese
Dr. Abraham Verghese’s “The Covenant of Water” is a sprawling saga set in Kerala, India, following a Malayali Christian family across generations. Starting with a hastily arranged marriage, the narrative delves into tragedies, drama, and legacy. Amidst heavy themes of family, tradition, and societal issues, the story weaves in Indian history, cultural richness, and medical evolution. Verghese’s heartfelt storytelling crafts an unforgettable, emotionally charged tale. If you’re up for an intense exploration of family and India’s history, this book’s your journey.
Find my full review here.
How to Keep House While Drowning, KC Davis
In a nutshell, “How to Keep House While Drowning” by KC Davis is a delightful, relatable read that redefines household chores as nurturing tasks. The author’s friendly approach and simple language make the book accessible and engaging. While not a comprehensive how-to guide, it offers valuable perspectives on managing a home.
Find my full review here.
Crush, Richard Siken
Richard Siken’s “Crush” isn’t just a collection of poems; it’s an emotional journey that lingers long after the book is closed. As someone who usually finds poetry somewhat fleeting due to its brevity, this book was a revelation. Siken’s ability to evoke raw, visceral emotions and paint vivid, haunting images in longer, more immersive poems captured my attention in a way that shorter works often struggle to do.
What sets “Crush” apart is its power to distill life’s profound moments into urgent, impactful verses. Siken doesn’t just tell a story; he captures the essence of human experience, laying bare emotions that resonate with the reader on a profound level. This book is a testament to the transformative potency of poetry, leaving an indelible mark that demands revisiting. For those seeking a brief yet profound exploration of love, vulnerability, and the human condition, “Crush” is an impactful and mesmerizing read.
Pocket Stoic, John Sellars
“The Pocket Stoic by John Sellars is like a little treasure trove of wisdom packed into a tiny book. It introduces Stoic philosophy in such a cool way, using Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius as guides. Sellars has this knack for making Stoicism really understandable, and it got me super curious about diving into the original texts.
What’s neat is how this book gets you thinking about life and what makes us happy, even if not every idea totally clicked with me. Sellars really gets into Stoic principles, and I found Epictetus’ perspective particularly powerful. But what’s cool is that he doesn’t just stick to one viewpoint—there’s this exploration of different Stoic angles that makes the whole discussion richer.
Overall, I was hooked! It’s an awesome, breezy read that really captures what Stoicism is all about, even if there were a few bits that didn’t totally jive with me.”
Making It So, Patrick Stewart
Sir Patrick Stewart’s memoir, ‘Making It So,’ offers a charming and insightful journey through his life, from growing up impoverished in a post-WWII English town to global stardom. Written with openness, wit, and simplicity, it goes beyond his famous roles, delving into choices, fears, love, and colorful experiences. It’s a delightful read, blending personal struggles with anecdotes about other renowned personalities. I’d recommend it to Stewart fans and those intrigued by engaging memoirs. The audiobook, narrated by Stewart himself, gave me a rich experience, as if he was a friend I was catching up with. This autobiography strikes a perfect balance, making it a priceless, smile-inducing journey into Stewart’s world.
Girly Drinks, Mallory O’Meara
This captivating (and sometimes frustrating – not in terms of the writing but the subject!) book sheds light on the untold stories of women’s pivotal roles in the history of alcohol. Despite a misleading title, it delves into the origins of alcohol, the takeover by men, prohibition, and the mistreatment of women. Through vibrant storytelling, each chapter highlights women’s leadership in technological advancements related to fermentation and distillation not just in America or Europe but globally. I appreciated the breadth of women brewsters that were introduced. The book’s mix of mystery, history, and the influence of remarkable women from various cultures makes it an accessible and enlightening read. The narrative’s chatty tone and occasional jumps between anecdotes might engage or frustrate readers – or in my case cause me to lose my place and had to go back a few pags. Nevertheless, for those seeking a feminist take on niche pop culture history, this book is highly recommended. Women especially will find it an essential and share-worthy read.
I Used to Have a Plan: But Life Had Other Ideas, Alessandra Olanow
This book was not included in the December Books line-up, but it is brief and charming, filled with adorable illustrations paired with relatable lines and a genuine soul-soother. It’s a rare gem that manages to be both uplifting and funny, not to mention utterly delightful. It’s the kind of book perfect for keeping on your side table, ready for a quick flip-through anytime you need a pick-me-up.
Wrapping up the final reading adventure of 2023 feels like bidding farewell to a rollercoaster of stories that whisked me from cozy holiday romances to mind-bending mysteries and emotionally charged family sagas. December’s bookshelf was a colorful mix of genres and styles that added a festive sparkle to the end of the year.
Nestling into the snug setting of “Resting Scrooge Face,” I got cozy with Nola’s unexpected Christmas escapade and her pen pal mystery, which was like sipping hot cocoa in book form. And let’s not forget the crimson-tinted holiday mysteries by Agatha Christie, where Christmas cheer mingled with a dash of crime—talk about a Yuletide twist! I joined Precious Ramotswe’s witty escapades in Botswana and took a deep dive into generations of family drama in Kerala, India, thanks to authors who painted vivid cultural landscapes in “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” and “The Covenant of Water.”
Beyond fiction, I discovered the art of turning chores into nurturing tasks with “How to Keep House While Drowning” and dove into the emotional depth of poetry with Richard Siken’s impactful collection, “Crush,” which left me feeling like I’d just experienced an emotional whirlwind.
In the realm of philosophy, the ‘Pocket Stoic’ was like stumbling upon a treasure trove of life hacks and wisdom that made me ponder existence, while Sir Patrick Stewart’s memoir was an engaging journey through the life of a global icon—imagine having a cup of tea with Captain Picard himself!
Let’s not overlook the surprising history lesson I got from “Girly Drinks,” where women’s roles in shaping the world of alcohol turned out to be as fascinating as any thriller plot.
And amidst these varied narratives, the unexpected delight of “I Used to Have a Plan: But Life Had Other Ideas” graced my reading, offering a charming respite and a reminder of life’s whimsical twists.
These books weren’t just stories; they were tickets to far-off lands, mind-bending mysteries, and profound insights. As the year bids adieu, these tales linger, leaving behind a whirlwind of laughter, introspection, and cultural immersion. Here’s to the magic of books and the promise of a fresh set of adventures in the chapters of the upcoming year!
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